NFL Predictions - Conference Championships

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

XENA AND TANNER CHEW ON THE PLAYOFF GAMES

Ravens@Patriots - In week three the Ravens held New England to 77 yards rushing and rolled up 500 yards of offense as they rallied to beat the Patriots 31-30 at home.  That seems like a long time ago.  Since that time the Patriots have developed a better than average running game and the Ravens have been suspect against the run.  I think the game hinges on whether the Ravens can control the New England ground game.  If they can't, the versatility of the Patriot attack will be too much for the Ravens.  At home, the Patriots will run the Ravens ragged if the Ravens can't make the Pats one dimensional.  So, we will either get a close game like last year where the Ravens control the pace, or the Patriots will  burn the birds off the field.  The Ravens won't give up two special teams scores this week, but they also won't get the deep bomb gifts that the Broncos handed them last week.  Simply put, I think the Patriot offense will be the dominant force on the field and the Raven offense will not be able to make the same kind of big plays that they made to defeat Denver.

Patriots 34-17

Niners@Falcons - My gut tells me that Atlanta will win this game.  The Falcons play much more zone than Green Bay and that will negate some of the big play runs by Kaepernick.  Good passing teams have burned the Niners on occasion.  The key for the Falcons will be to stay aggressive early and to give Matty Ice time to throw.  My head tells me that the Niners will not fall short again.  Some times good young teams need to experience getting close to know what it takes to get over the hump.  My head says the Niner D will make the crucial stops it needs to keep the game close and that the Niners will wear down the Falcons in the second half.  I will go with my head.  Niners 28-23.